Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Reynolds said pubs were “vitally important” for communities and that his Government stood behind the sector.
“I think a lot of people in the UK would be in a better place if they go down the pub now and again and socialised and enjoyed that atmosphere.”
Committed to change
Speaking as part of the announcement of changes to the licensing regime, which the Government said will remove some of the red tape operators have to deal with, he said the Government was committed to change.
The Mirror is calling on ministers to set up a fight fund to help keep pubs alive, however Reynolds did not commit to the move.
He added: “Part of the thing they need, it’s not just bespoke funds, it’s things like permanent low business rates for retail, hospitality and leisure. So that is part of the Government’s commitment.”
The licensing reforms have been welcomed by the industry and include proposals to modernise and streamline the licensing process.
Proposals include increasing the maximum amount of Temporary Event Notices (TENs) that pubs are allowed to use and improving the potential for operators to better use their outside spaces.
Licensing reforms
The move comes against a background of increased costs and challenges for the pub sector, many created by the Autumn budget increases to the National Living Wage and to National Insurance contributions for employers, alongside a reduction in the current rate of relief for business rates.
While the Treasury has confirmed plans to introduce rates reform, including a permanent lowering of the multipliers for retail, hospitality and leisure, it remains to be seen how far those reforms will go and when they will come into effect.
Meanwhile the British Beer and Pub Association recently warned that an average of one pub a day was shutting its door as the cost pressures continue to mount.
